This round comes ahead of the three categories still to be announced, including packaging, spreads and drinks, and bars.

This year, 2017, is the first time the Filled Chocolate category will be awarded its own 'special' overall award - the new Golden Bonbon - in the official awards ceremony later in the year.

Meanwhile, Golds, Silvers, and Bronzes are announced for each entry in the category that is deemed to reach the required level.

There were over 900 total entries across all the categories from across the world, including countries as diverse as Hungary, Slovenia, Vietnam, the Phillipines, the Solomon Islands, the UAE, and Grenada.

Of the 900, 290 entries from 35 countries were in the Filled Chocolate category.

Notable winners of the Filled Chocolate gongs include:

Chocolat Grace, newcomers from North Carolina, with three Golds, two Silver, and one Bronze

Anne Selmer of Cochu, with five Silvers and five Bronzes

Harry's Chocs (from Harry Specter, and made by young people with autism), with three Silvers and seven Bronzes

Eponine (named the Rising Stars in 2016), with six Silvers and four Bronzes

Lauden with one Gold and four Silvers

Dunnings with one Gold, four Silvers and one Bronze

Rococo with two Golds, four Silvers, and three Bronze

Further results across the remaining categories are to be announced in the next few weeks, with the notable 'Special Awards' handed out at the awards ceremony.

As well as the new Golden Bonbon, these will include the Golden Bean, Newcomer, Rising Star, and the Mott Green Sunstainability Awards.

"We are particularly happy about the overall quality, craftmanship and enthusiasm shown in the entries," says Sara Jayne Stanes, chairman of the Academy. "We are thrilled at the talent and creativity of newcomers, and we applaud the constant brilliance and expertise of regular entrants."

Stanes joins a wide judging panel in the contest, which also includes Will Torrent, pastry chef and consultant, and pastry chef and judging chair Sarah Hartnett.